Here’s how LTB helps the Big Cats:

With donations from the public, “Meatball” the black bear will have a new habitat in San Diego

Alpine, Calif. – (September 12, 2012) - Lions Tigers and Bears (LTB), an exotic animal sanctuary in east San Diego, Calif., has actively started fundraising to build a habitat for the rescued black bear, “Meatball,” after learning the proposed transfer to Colorado will not be allowed due to Colorado law stating it is unlawful for a wildlife sanctuary to possess a bear taken from the wild.

The California Department of Fish and Game released a statement on September 11, 2012 stating, “Out of respect for Colorado law, we do not intend to allow the bear to be transported there.”

The 500-pound bear, named “Meatball” after his preference for the Costco brand, was captured by the California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) on August 28, 2012 in Glendale, Calif. because he had become “habituated” – unafraid to enter areas of human habitation. Since habituated bears pose a potential threat to humans, they must be removed from the wild. Most are euthanized, but the California DFG chose to relocate Meatball instead. Meatball arrived to LTB for quarantine, a process all captured animals complete to ensure they are free of diseases and are healthy enough for a medical check-up.

Having just welcomed a new bear in June, LTB is at full capacity. The exotic animal sanctuary is asking for donations from the public to help build Meatball’s habitat. Meatball will need a safety bedroom, as well as an enclosed outdoor area to roam and play that will be full of rolling hills, caves, hammocks, boulders and natural grasses. Because he loves water (before being captured, he was filmed pool-hopping), the sanctuary would love to build him a pool.

“We need to do what’s best for Meatball,” said Bobbi Brink, Founder and Director of Lions Tigers and Bears. “We are ready to begin building the habitat as soon as possible but need financial support from the public in order to get started.”

SDG&E has offered to donate 26-foot wooden poles to support the outdoor enclosure. In addition, groups including Prom Plus, Prom Plus Club and the Crescenta Valley Weekly have already begun fundraising for the new bear habitat. While LTB is awaiting official estimates from contractors, the much larger bear habitat currently on premises cost $250,000 to complete.

Meanwhile, LTB has begun the challenging process of getting Meatball accustomed to life in captivity. As a wild animal, he doesn’t understand how to live in an enclosure or that it’s OK to eat food provided by people. His instincts tell him to try to escape and to distrust the people around him. This is why living in a small enclosure at this time is so important to his recovery.

Meatball will not only need to go through this mental process of rehabilitation, but will also have to undergo a host of medical procedures, including a complete physical examination, comprehensive blood work, implantation of a micro-chip, a dental check-up and neutering in order to be with other bears.

Fortunately, LTB has the experience, patience and compassion to see Meatball through this process. No one can predict how long it will take Meatball to decide that the care provided by his caretakers is OK. Some bears are ready in a few days, while others take months.

“This bear has touched so many hearts with his story. We want to see this through to a happy ending,” continued Brink. “The California Department of Fish and Game has assisted us in every way possible, and we thank them for their ongoing support to do what is best for Meatball.”

For more information about Meatball, to donate to the habitat fund or to become a member of the Lions, Tigers and Bears community, please visit: http://www.lionstigersandbears.org or call 619-659-8078.

About Lions, Tigers and Bears

Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) is a federally and state licensed non-profit 501 (c)(3) rescue facility dedicated to providing a safe haven for unwanted and abused exotic cats and other exotic animals. LTB is a NO KILL, NO BREED and NO SELL facility that allows cats in its care the opportunity to live out their lives with dignity in a caring and safe environment. LTB’s goal is to provide a safe haven to rescued exotics and to educate the public about the growing population of abandoned and unwanted exotic animals. LTB is one of few sanctuaries in the United States with the highest level of accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

For more information or to make a donation to help care for the animals at LTB, please visit www.lionstigersandbears.org or call (619) 659-8078.

San Diego, CA – The demands for assistance in placing exotic animals in new homes is increasing and Bobbi Brink, Founder and Director of Lions Tigers & Bears Big Cat Sanctuary and Rescue (LTB) near San Diego, Calif., is answering the call and providing aid to ailing facilities that can no longer keep up with the demands and resources needed to shelter these wild animals.

This week, Brink returns to Ohio to complete a rescue mission begun earlier this month and transfer the remaining tigers and lions from a defunct animal facility near Columbus, Ohio. Financial difficulties prevented the owner from being able to properly care for the 32 exotic animals and forced her to close her doors for good and find new homes for the animals. Brink, along with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS), and several other sanctuaries and organizations, conducted a national rescue mission to place the animals in credible sanctuaries and zoos around the nation.

“Unfortunately, this is a story that is being heard from many animal facilities and by private owners not only in Ohio but across the country,” said Brink. “The costs and demands of caring for and sheltering exotic animals are high and require a great amount of resources. With the slowed economy coupled with the needed tighter regulations, many owners just can’t keep up.”

As Ohio prepares to implement a new law that prohibits the private ownership of exotic animals and as Brink completes the transfer of the remaining tigers and lions, she is once again called upon to help place six black bears in a new home as the owner is met with financial strains and tighter regulations.

The need for tougher laws and regulations is welcomed by Brink who has advocated for this change for over a decade. However, as the new Ohio law signed by Governor Kasich this month prepares to be implemented, exotic animal owners and facilities are faced with how to comply with the new regulations that increase the standards by which the animals are kept.

“There is no doubt we needed to step up the standards on the ownership of exotic animals,” continued Brink. “We anticipate there will be more calls to come rescue animals from those that cannot maintain the new standards. But we cannot let another Zanesville incident happen again. A balance must exist between public rights and public safety.”

Brink and Lions Tigers & Bears are seeking donations for the increased rescue efforts that can cost in the tens of dollars. More about Lions Tigers & Bears and donating to the effort can be found on their website at http://www.lionstigersandbears.org.